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  "path": "/science/dinosaur-discovery-fossil-prehistoric-sea-monster-survived-odds-dolphin",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-07T04:18:14.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Incredible 2,200-year-old shipwreck reveals 'surprising' way ancient sailors kept vessels waterproof",
    "Archaeologists unearth secrets of artificial island older than Stonehenge in underwater discovery",
    "Ancient hippopotamus that roamed Britain 120,000 years ago found in Welsh cave",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA prehistoric sea monster survived in the face of a severe injury, fossils have revealed.\n\nThe giant marine reptile - a Temnodontosaurus, a type of ichthyosaur - was discovered by palaeontologists at the Mistelgau clay pit near Bayreuth in Germany.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe creature resembled modern dolphins and was estimated to be about 6.6 metres long.\n\nUlrike Albert, the author of the study, said: \"Our Temnodontosaurus fossil is one of the youngest finds of this ichthyosaur genus to date.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n\"Until now, representatives of this genus have mainly been known from older geological layers.\"\n\nThe research, published in the journal Zitteliana, revealed the Temnodontosaurus genus may have survived longer in the Southwest German Basin than previously thought, Dr Albert, researcher for the Bavarian State Collections of Natural History said.\n\nResearchers have, however, stopped short of a species-level assignment due to the absence of a complete fossil specimen.\n\nSeveral parts of the skeleton have been able to be preserved, including fragments of the skull, lower jaw, shoulder girdle, forefins, spine, and over 100 teeth.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe researchers noted there were clear similarities to Temnodontosaurus trigonodon, but noted there were also differences.\n\nThe fossil found by the German paleontologists included modifications to the skeleton - likely as a result of injuries.\n\nThese would have affected its shoulder and jaw joints and would have made its life difficult.\n\nThe study reads: \"Pathologies primarily affecting the pectoral girdle and mandibular joint likely influenced the animal’s hunting and feeding behaviour, resulting in abraded teeth and the presence of gastroliths.\"\n\n### MORE SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Incredible 2,200-year-old shipwreck reveals 'surprising' way ancient sailors kept vessels waterproof\n  * Archaeologists unearth secrets of artificial island older than Stonehenge in underwater discovery\n  * Ancient hippopotamus that roamed Britain 120,000 years ago found in Welsh cave\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nGastroliths or \"stomach stones\" are rocks consumed by animals to aid with the crushing and digestion of food.\n\nHowever, they are extremely rare among ichthyosaurs, and the creature likely would have had to change its diet to survive, according to Stefan Eggmaier, preparator at the Urwelt-Museum and author of the study.\n\nDr Eggmaier added: \"The injuries likely significantly limited the animal’s ability to catch prey.\"\n\nThe findings are are part of research into the ecology of the Jurassic Sea.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFurther analysis of teeth and bone structures are planned in the hopes of further understanding the Temnodontosaurus genus.\n\nThe Mistelgau excavation site is known for its well-preserved marine fossils.\n\nIn 2025, the new species Eurhinosaurus mistelgauensis was named after the site.\n\n****Eurhinosaurus mistelgauensis is also an ichthyosaur with a an elongated and slender snout with an extreme overbite.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Prehistoric sea monster survived despite extreme odds, fossil reveals"
}